Cultural Participation Survey 2016

The 2016 findings reveal an overall increase in participation across a number of activities when compared to the 2011 survey. The survey also reveals levels of participation by age, region and level of education completed.

- The highest percentage point increase and largest attendance was registered for parish feasts with a 67% attendance. The lowest participation was in dance with a 12% attendance. Cinemas registered an attendance of 42%, historical sites 35% and museums 30%. Theatre attendance stood at 32% with comedy registered as the favourite genre while concert-going registered an attendance of 32%. Pop music remains the predominant preferred music interest of the respondents.

- 44% read at least one book, with romance as the favourite genre; 20% visited a library.

- 70% of those with access to internet used the internet to listen to music, 66% to read newspaper articles and 61% to find information about a local cultural event.

- The survey also reveals that 37% of the population is active in a variety of cultural activities ranging from involvement in traditional festivities such as carnival to artistic activities such as playing an instrument or painting. This group of respondents also scored higher on the life satisfaction scoreboard than those who did not actively participate in cultural activities.

The Cultural Participation Survey 2016 is an Arts Council Malta publication in collaboration with the National Statistics Office and the Valletta 2018 Foundation.